John 14:15

Followeth the first Argument of consolation against their heart-trouble, contained in a promise of sending the comforter, even the holy Spirit, unto them; And because of the riches thereof, and because the other consolations are emproven by receiving of the Spirit, therefore this purpose is largely insisted on, to ver. 27 in this order. 1 He presseth upon them their duty toward him in his absence, especially, that they may attain this promised comforter, ver. 15. 2. He subjoyns the promise of the comforter, ver. 16, 17. 3. He insists upon several benefits which they shall reap by enjoying of this comforter, verse 18.—26.

In this verse he enjoyns them their duty in his absence; that they should love him, and evidence the same by observation of his commandments. And by this direction, partly, he corrects their fond way of expressing love to him, by doating on his bodily presence, and sorrowing immoderatly for his absence; Partly, he prescribes a remedy and antidote against their heart-trouble, by diversion or revulsion, in turning the stream of their affection, which bred this heart-trouble, into the channel of diligence about duty; and partly, he sets them on the right way of attaining the promised comforter, as the connexion with the following verse imports, keep my commandments, And I will pray, &c. Whence learn, 1. It is the character of every true disciple of Christ, that they do love their Lord and Master; for, so is supposed here as their duty and practice, ye love me. See 1 Cor. 16.21. 2. The love of disciples to Christ must not, and will not be obstructed by his seeming hard dispensations, nor quenched by his absence; for, though he be now to remove, yet he supposeth they have, and will have love to him, ye love me. 3. Love to Christ must not be said only, nor will it lye lurking in the heart, but must and will break forth in proofes and evidences of it selfe; Therefore, Christ requires a proofe of their love, if ye love me, keep my commandments. 4. True love to Christ may sometime be so overpowred with unbelief, hast, and our impetuous passions, as the proofes thereof, how vehement soever, yet, are not so right as becomes; Therefore is there need of direction how to evidence their love, in opposition to the proofes they gave thereof. 5. Obedience to the commandments is of the true touch-stone and evidence of love to Christ; And in Christs absence they do not evidence such pure love to him, who are ready to lye down and die through discouragement, as they who are most at their work, and are most busie about his errands; for, by this doth he try them, and this doth he recommend as an evidence of love in his absence, If ye love me, keep my commandments. 6. True obedience must flow not only from the fear of God, but from love and sense of our obligation to Christ also, and disciples will look on commandments, and give them obedience, as very sweet for his sake; Therefore also doth he presuppose love to him, as a principle of obedience, and recommends the commandments to be observed as his, keep my commandments. 7. To be much about duty and service, in obedience to Christs commandments, is a very present diversion and cure of heart-trouble, which is but fed with idle discouragement; And it is the way to a more perfect cure, which cannot be expected by lazie drowpers; for, this direction is both a cure in it selfe, and fits them for obtaining the following promise, as hath been said in opening up of the words.